The Ned Rig: Your Secret Weapon for December Bass

Residing alongside the Gulf Coast and fishing these waters my total life, I’ve discovered one crucial lesson: adapt to altering situations or lose!  And nowhere is that this extra true than when concentrating on bass through the chilly, uncooked month of December.

For years, I used to be that man. A fisherman who stubbornly clung to summer season methods.

I used to be a spinnerbait man. Colorado, willow, and Indian blades – oh yeah! Spinnerbaits had been my favourite lures to throw. All summer season, I’d work them just under the floor, the place the blade would create a ripple that might produce highly effective subsurface strikes.

However December? December calls for a special strategy.

A few decade in the past, I found the Ned Rig, which fully remodeled my winter bass fishing technique. This finesse method is particularly designed for these difficult cold-water situations when bass get notoriously sluggish and hesitant to chase something.

At its core, the Ned Rig is easy. It consists of a light-weight jighead, usually 1/16 to 1/8 ounce. It’s paired with a brief, delicate plastic bait like a small stickbait or worm. I prefer to nose-hook my stickbait so it creates a novel, standing presentation. When it sinks right down to the underside, the bait stands upright, mimicking a struggling or injured baitfish which is an irresistible goal for cold-water bass.

Why It Works

In chilly water, bass aren’t trying to expend pointless power. Their metabolism slows down, they usually choose straightforward meals. The Ned Rig’s delicate, bottom-twitching motion completely matches this habits. By holding the bait near the underside and transferring it with minimal, mild twitches, you’re primarily presenting a simple meal that’s arduous for a bass to disregard.

The Retrieve

Working a Ned Rig requires a special contact in comparison with extra aggressive methods. After casting and letting the lure choose the underside, I maintain my rod tip low and pointed immediately on the bait. Then, I’ll slowly elevate the rod, dragging the lure throughout the underside. The hot button is to subtly drag your lure on the underside. Keep in mind,  these fish are chilly, and your presentation must mirror that.

When retrieving, watch your line like a hawk. Winter bass bites will be so delicate that they’re virtually unnoticeable. For those who see the slightest sideways motion or really feel a slight stress, set the hook instantly.

The Lure

I’ve discovered Z-Man TRD baits to be notably for utilizing with a Ned Rig. It’s delicate plastic design and shade patterns appear to set off strikes even within the coldest situations. Pair these with a light-weight jighead, and it’s lights out for December bass!

Bass fishing in December isn’t about protecting a number of water so decelerate, be affected person, and belief the Ned Rig. Be taught its nuances, experiment with the velocity of your retrieve, and also you’ll end up selecting the chilly lake over a heat hearth each single time.

This system isn’t only a fishing methodology—it’s a mindset. It’s about understanding the fish and adapting your strategy to match the situations. And in December, the Ned Rig is your ticket to success!

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award successful outside journalist that resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outside column for the Slidell Unbiased Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Out of doors Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith e-mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com